Search found 747 matches

by sorrentinacoffee
January 5th, 2019, 10:11 pm
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 14
Views: 2822

Best lever espresso machine, small, vintage (non Olympia Cremina)

that's a very subjective question- and the answer depends on how you define better- and what you want from the machine. Two machines that I would rate as excellent for what they are are the Caravel- and the La Pavoni. For me personally neither are as good as a Cremina for different reasons. the Cara...
by sorrentinacoffee
September 25th, 2018, 12:45 am
Forum: Lever Espresso Machines
Replies: 71
Views: 3838

New lever in the "house", actually 3 new levers.

wow- nice machine. Is that thing for home use? How many coffees do you drink a day?
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by sorrentinacoffee
September 10th, 2017, 9:29 pm
Forum: Lever Espresso Machines
Replies: 31
Views: 2389

Londinium L1/ R owners, reliability, heat...

you leave you machine on 24/7?? how often do you use it? That seems crazy to me... espresso at 4am? surely a simple timer switch could save your machine from some wear- and some electricity?
by sorrentinacoffee
February 24th, 2017, 6:42 am
Forum: Knockbox
Replies: 24
Views: 2084

70 years of "Atomic Robbiati" coffee!

Ah- once again I am 'questioned! However I think you misunderstand: what I said is- when the machine is first cast- the plug and seal are put in Before the machine is polished. At this stage the surface is quite rough following sand casting. It is then intensely polished and in that process the plug...
by sorrentinacoffee
February 19th, 2017, 4:34 am
Forum: Lever Espresso Machines
Replies: 47
Views: 3494

Ponte Vecchio Lusso piston removal tool

highly likely all that is wrong with your machine is worn seals- replace with new ones and a lube and all should be good
by sorrentinacoffee
January 15th, 2017, 8:36 pm
Forum: Lever Espresso Machines
Replies: 25
Views: 2722

Another Franken-lever - The Zodiachestrale

no- they just won't do But perhaps a less organic- perhaps triangular shape from the same material- different colour (orange?) would be good?
by sorrentinacoffee
January 9th, 2017, 11:25 pm
Forum: Lever Espresso Machines
Replies: 25
Views: 2722

Another Franken-lever - The Zodiachestrale

that is freakin' awesome! It looks like it was always meant to be! And the proof seems to be in that cup! Nice work sir. I have some levers in need of your skills Kitt... perhaps we should parlay sometime
by sorrentinacoffee
January 9th, 2017, 10:35 pm
Forum: Repairs, Restorations & Mods
Replies: 5
Views: 289

My Olympia Cremina died! What to look for?

I have a very early Cremina which was my daily driver until it died last week. It is the oldest version that does not have a visible re-set switch under the base. So far I haven't taken it apart to see what has happened: and when it died it triggered the house safety fuse to trip and cut off all
by sorrentinacoffee
January 7th, 2017, 10:23 pm
Forum: Lever Espresso Machines
Replies: 8
Views: 575

VAM Arrarex restore, and, an overheating question...

That machine looks fantastic- well done! Concerning the overheating issue: my guess is that you are not getting a good direct contact between the element and the boiler base. The caravel machines are designed so that the boiler become a heatsink for the element. When there is good contact and water ...
by sorrentinacoffee
November 3rd, 2016, 1:23 am
Forum: Lever Espresso Machines
Replies: 2418
Views: 187722

The Arrarex Caravel

On the older models- the elements simply pull out. They may be tight but if you jiggle back and forth they should pull straight up and out. You want to take care not to damage the ceramic housing. However on some later models the elements are held in place by small nuts that must be removed